Job summary
Physician Associates (PAs) are a diverse group, working in a range of clinical specialties. They are trained in the medical model and usually work alongside doctors within a multi-disciplinary team.

The PA Tutor is an experienced clinician who works within the organisation to support and promote the interests and development needs of PAs. They will work with the support of the Trust Lead PA(s), who will undertake the bulk of the hands-on and day-to-day tasks.

Candidates should have the support of their relevant clinical director before applying for this post and ensure they have capacity in their job plan to undertake this role.

Main duties of the job
Provide strategic leadership for Physician Associates, championing their development, wellbeing and professional practice across the Trust while supporting governance and workforce priorities.

Lead PA education, career development programmes and student placements, ensuring high quality support, induction and progression opportunities for all PAs.

Work closely with senior leaders, clinical teams and external partners to represent PA interests, deliver service improvements and enhance patient care outcomes.

About us
The department of Post-Graduate Medical Education is committed to supporting the education and development of Doctors in Training, Staff Grade and Associate Specialists (SAS) as well as Consultants throughout their career.

We are part of Health Education South West - Severn and work closely with them to deliver important healthcare priorities and assist them in monitoring our progress.

We strive to ensure all doctors in Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust have a high-quality induction to the Trust and department, experience good educational and clinical supervision which facilitates their learning in a safe environment.

We support and organise a wide range of clinical and educational skill development courses from Training the Trainers and Professional and Generic Skills to Simulation Training, Medical Grand Rounds and much more besides.

The departmental culture is open, friendly and supportive of all doctors and we are happy to address any queries regarding education and training.

Location: Gloucester
Contract: Fixed term, 3 years
Working pattern: Part-time
Pay scheme: Hospital medical and dental staff
Salary: £5,000 a year per annum

Job responsibilities

• Provide part of the governance structure to support PA needs. Attend the PA Professional Practice Committee (4 monthly) meetings chaired by the Medical Director
• Provide support and guidance to PAs in the Trust and champion their needs within the organisation, in collaboration with Clinical Leads, the Director of Medical Education (DME) and senior hospital management.
• Take a leadership role in supporting the professional and career development of PAs.
• Lead on outcomes of the Leng report to ensure PAs remain able to work in a fashion to maximise benefits to patients and the Trust
• Lead on the organisation and delivery of internal and external developmental programmes to improve and support the developmental needs of PAs.
• Lead on Student PA placements in the trust
• Advise and support PAs requiring additional support above and beyond that provided by their specialty and supervisor, broadly in line with the guiding principles in the NACT Supporting trainees document.
• Supervise and guide the Trust Lead PA(s).
• During the tenure of the post, it is anticipated that area(s) of responsibility might change and develop over time in response to workforce planning and requirements of this staff group.

Specific professional and managerial tasks
Internal

• Provide support with local induction, appraisal, and awareness of opportunities available for career progression
• Represent the Director of Medical Education when required on issues related to PAs.
• Attend the Professional practice Committee meetings

External

• Liaise with the associate or deputy postgraduate team leading on Physician Associate support at the Deanery

Self-development

• Develop an appropriate role-related PDP to be discussed and approved at annual appraisal.
• Comply with data protection, freedom of information and equal opportunities/diversity requirements

Principal communication and working relationships

• Director of Medical Education
• Postgraduate Medical Education Manager (MEM) and administrative team
• Unit/Departmental/Service Leads
• Other members of the wider educational faculty
• Medical Director, Director of Finance and Director of HR
• Associate/Deputy Postgraduate Dean responsible for PAs on behalf of the Deanery

Person Specification
Qualifications and Training
Essential

• GMC - full registration including recognised clinical and educational supervisor
• SAS Doctor or Dentist or Consultant with a minimum of 5PA clinical contract with the Trust

Desirable

• Postgraduate medical education, leadership or management (PGCert, Diploma, Masters)

Experience
Essential

• Breadth of experience in appraisal and medical education e.g. training and supervision of doctors, students and other healthcare professionals
• Knowledge of assessment methods
• Experience as a representative

Desirable

• Personal experience in working with and Supervising PAs.
• Experience in leadership or management within a formal role or as part of a team in related activity

Teamwork
Essential

• Proven ability to contribute to effective multidisciplinary teams.
• Positive attitude towards multi-professional working

Desirable

• Team or service-based quality improvement work as a project or part of a programme

Communication
Essential

• Excellent oral and written communication skills
• Excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to deal with difficult situations
• Evidence of supporting junior staff and colleagues

Desirable

• Presentations at local, regional and national conferences
• Publications in local, national and international journals and other non-peer reviewed work

Teaching
Essential

• Experience of teaching and training, including medical trainees, students of all healthcare disciplines and allied health professionals

Desirable

• Evidence of teaching abilities - positive feedback and/or teaching observation

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications.

Apply through our website for further information and to apply.